Chestnut Rail Expedition
and Darwin Birdwatching Experience September 30, 2016

Kakadu Bird Week Special!

 
From time to time we run a 'Chestnut Rail Expedition' in collaboration with Sea Darwin Eco Cruises. This tour runs the day before the'Kakadu Bird Week' starts, so could be of special interest to our visitors who plan to visit Kakadu for this special event. This will be the same cost as our normal full day tour, with the cruise included at no extra cost.
  
Broad-billed Flycatcher at East Point (photo copyright Alan Kydd)
Broad-billed Flycatcher at East Point (photo copyright Alan Kydd)

After pick up at 7am from your Darwin accommodation, we visit to monsoon forest in search of the endemic Rainbow Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Varied Triller and Grey (Brown) Whistler; then we go to a nearby rocky coastline in search of shorebirds, Sacred Kingfisher and sometimes Beach Stone-curlew.

Red-headed Honeyeater - Casuarina Beach (photo copyright Laurie Ross)
Red-headed Honeyeater - Casuarina Beach (photo copyright Laurie Ross)
We take the 2km return walk that goes right through the mangroves, along a boardwalk to the mudflats, with a pleasant landing that allows us to sit, listen and observe while various waders, Red-headed Honeyeaters, Broad-billed Flycatchers, Collared Kingfishers, and others come into sight.

After visiting some savannah woodland habitat for Forest Kingfisher, Double-barred and Long-tailed Finch, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Spangled Drongo and others, we head out to the northern suburbs of Darwin and explore parkland, coastal shoreline and more mangroves. 
 

After visiting some savannah woodland habitat for Forest Kingfisher, Double-barred and Long-tailed Finch, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Spangled Drongo and others, we head out to the northern suburbs of Darwin and explore parkland, coastal shoreline and more mangroves.

After a picnic lunch we head down to Stokes Hill Wharf to meet the 'Snubfin' at 1:30pm in search of the sought after and elusive Chestnut Rail.  
 
Chestnut Rail feeding on the mudbank in mangrove habitat (photo copyright Ian Morris)
Chestnut Rail feeding on the mudbank in mangrove habitat (photo copyright Ian Morris)
We quietly explore some mangrove-lined creeks deep in Darwin Harbour on the falling tide, when Chestnut Rail come down to feed on the mudbanks. Other mangrove species we may see include Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Heron, Striated Heron, Collared Kingfisher, various overwintering shorebirds plus any of the three species of dolphin that are found in the harbour.
 
Torresian (Collared) Kingfisher at East Point (photo copyright Marie Holding)
Torresian (Collared) Kingfisher at East Point (photo copyright Marie Holding)
After the cruise we explore parkland, savannah woodland and mangrove habitiat at the nearby Charles Darwin National Park. Drop off back to your accommodation and around 5.30pm.
 

Please click here to see the report from the May 29, 2015 Chestnut Rail Expedition.

Local birder, John Rawesthorne’s take on the May 29 Chestnut Rail Expedition…

I tagged along on the Chestnut Rail boat tour this morning.  Very easy going and friendly mob, the Sea Darwin crew along with Mike Jarvis – clearly they enjoy what they do. 

Anyway, we pottered about in Sadgroves Ck for an hour or so, seeing nary a Rail, but a nice suite of other birds.  As we headed back to Stokes Hill Wharf through the moored yachts near Dinah Beach, quite literally on the very last square metre of mud we had left to look at (on the mangrove corner opposite Dinah Beach boat ramp, for those more familiar) there was a rail! Walking around out in the open foraging.  Doing rail stuff.  Except the “run away” bit – it didn’t run away, which was nice. 

JR

 

Chestnut Rail Expedition, first light (photo copyright Sea Darwin)
Chestnut Rail Expedition, first light (photo copyright Sea Darwin)

Inclusions: Pick-up and drop-off to accommodation, 90 minute Sea Darwin Eco Cruise (1.30pm-3.00pm), use of binoculars and spotting scope, sunscreen and insect repellent if required, iced water, lunch and morning tea. 

7.00am - 5.30pm  $245/person (group tour)  

Please Note:

  • All tours require a reasonable level of mobility and moderate fitness

  • For protection from the sun and biting insects, light long sleeved shirt and pants are recommended, sturdy shoes and a hat are a must
  • Our group tours have a maximum capacity of seven passengers and minimum of two
  • Our  Terms and Conditions document outlines our cancellation and refund policy. 
  • All prices are in Australian dollars.

Please click here to check on availability or book a Darwin Birdwatching Experience or email us at enquiries@experiencethewild.com.au

  

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